Overview
5G cellular Gateway that connects your property's wireless devices to the cloud.
The NextCentury 5G Cellular Gateway introduces the next generation of superior wireless utility management. It includes simple plug-n-play setup and facilitates the communication of thousands of wireless devices on a single property. Seamlessly compatible with all NextCentury Repeater, Remote Reader, and Transceiver models. This cloud-connected Gateway is easily and securely connected to the Internet.
Cloud Connection Options
Engineered for long maintenance-free operation, the GW4 is securely connected to the internet using ethernet, WiFi, or built-in 5G Cellular.
Models
- GW4 – Support properties with up to 10,000 devices
- GW4-Lite – For properties with 50 or fewer devices
Specifications
Models
| GW4 | Up to 10,000 devices |
|---|---|
| GW4-Lite | Up to 50 devices |
Connectivity
| Wireless Communication | Two-way NextCentury RF Connect™ 902-928 MHz Unlicensed Band |
|---|---|
| Cellular Data Communication | 5G & LTE Simple no-contract subscription |
| LAN Data Communication Options | Gigabit ethernet WiFi (2.4 GHz a/b/g/n) |
| In-Field Configuration | Advanced configuration options available using the NCSS Mobile App (iOS & Android) |
Physical and power
| Dimensions | 5.1in x 1.2in x 7.7in (129mm x 31mm x 195mm) |
|---|---|
| Operation Environment | -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F ) Should be installed in an indoor, dry environment |
| Power Requirements | 120/240 VAC outlet required 15VDC 1A power supply (included) |
| Humidity | Up to 90% non-condensing |
Security & integration
| Security | Encrypted wireless communication Firewall compatible for secure networks |
|---|---|
| Expandability | Third-party compatible via expansion port Compatible with NextCentury Repeaters to extend range Open API for data retrieval and system integration |
| Warranty | 3-year standard warranty |
Certifications
| FCC ID | 2AB8I-GW4 |
|---|---|
| IC | 20949-GW4 |
Installation
What's in the box
- A - GW4 Gateway
- B - Mounting Plate
- C - Sheetrock Anchors & Screw
- D - Ethernet Cable
- E - Power Supply
- F - 5G Cellular Antenna
Install the Gateway
Mount the GW4 Gateway
Remove the mounting plate from the Gateway
Anchor the mounting plate using the included hardware and adhesive
Slide the Gateway back onto the mounting plate.
Connect Gateway cables
Connecting the Gateway to a 3rd party receiver as part of a property upgrade? Connect the 3rd Party Cable first, before the power supply. See the 3rd Party Cable Quick Start Guide.
Connect the included Cellular Antenna and Power Supply to the Gateway, and the Ethernet cable if you're using one.
Caution
Only use the provided power supply. The correct power supply has an output of 15v.
Verify Gateway communication
The Gateway’s POWER LED will turn solid blue when it has a valid Internet connection
Note
The GW4 Gateway must be programmed in the NextCentury Cloud and it must be online, in order for it to begin communicating.
Add the Gateway to your property
Open the Network page
From the property menu, select Equipment
Then select the Network tab in the upper right-hand corner
Add the Gateway
Locate the serial number on the back of the Gateway
Enter the serial number in the Web Portal
The Gateway will then be added to the property.
Note
Be sure to add a note describing the Gateway location. Adding a picture as well as a GPS tag using the mobile app is also highly recommended.
Verify Gateway communication
The Gateway’s POWER LED will turn solid blue when it has a valid Internet connection.
The Gateway icon and connection type on the Web Portal will turn blue once the Gateway has a valid Internet connection.
Open the Network page
From the Home Page, select the menu in the corner and select Properties. Then select your property.
Add the Gateway
Locate the serial number on the back of the Gateway
Enter the serial number into the mobile app and select "Program Device"
Note
Be sure to add a note describing the Gateway location. Adding a picture as well as a GPS tag while at the Gateway is also highly recommended.
Verify Gateway communication
The Gateway’s POWER LED will turn solid blue when it has a valid Internet connection
The Gateway icon and connection type on the NCSS App will turn blue once the Gateway has a valid Internet connection
FAQ
Installation and power
It is not recommended that a Gateway be installed outside.
The GW4 is only compatible with the included 15v power supply. The GW4 should only be used with the included 15v power supply and not the older 12v power supply that was included with the LCD Gateway 201.
Clients may use any 3rd party surge protector, however, we have both an automatic resetting fuse and diodes for protecting a Gateway and Repeaters from surges. The wall power supply also has built-in protection. If a large surge does occur, it should take out the power supply before a Gateway or Repeater is damaged.
When a Gateway loses power, it will immediately use its reserve power to save and close ongoing operations and then send a Power Loss alert.
a Gateway has built-in self-healing technologies, so when power is restored it will boot up and automatically reconnect to the NextCentury web server.
It is recommended that the cellular antenna always be installed with a Gateway even if the primary connection will be Ethernet or Wi-Fi. There is no ongoing cost unless the cellular is enabled as the primary connection.
Two of the primary reasons for installing the cellular antenna even if a Gateway will utilize Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection are:
- Cellular would be able to be enabled remotely if the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection experiences temporary problems.
- NextCentury Support can sometimes use the cellular connection to help diagnose issues.
Capacity and range
The quantity limitation on a Gateway Lite GW4-L is 50 Transceivers (or 50 transmitters if installed on a 3rd party property), regardless of how many units or apartments that represents.
The GW4 Lite does not have any additional limitations on Repeaters over what is possible using the standard GW4.
The database for one Gateway has been tested with up to 2,000 Transceivers.
The NextCentury system features automatic network-balancing. The Gateway is able to dynamically adjust the check-in interval for a single Transceiver in order to balance the communication of all equipment on a property. This drastically reduces dropped messages and allows the equipment to service much larger properties.
The "line of sight" range of a Gateway is 4+ miles.
This range is for "line of sight" measurement with a direct free-space path between the two points. Actual ranges of installed equipment will be reduced depending on the installation location, building material, and other RF obstructions in the environment in which it operates.
Internet connection
a Gateway does not have a slot for a removable SIM. The cellular service is managed by NextCentury and can be turned on or off in the Web Portal (or using the Mobile App). A flat rate is charged for any month in which the cellular connection was turned on.
This managed cellular service ensures high reliability and ease of use with cellular usage and settings right in the NextCentury Web Portal.
Usage of the cellular connection is optional. a Gateway also features an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi capability.
No, a Gateway can only connect to password-protected Wi-Fi networks. This ensures that all information is kept secure.
A Gateway requires one of the following data/internet connection types:
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi
- Integrated 5G/LTE Cellular
The chosen connection must provide a speed of at least 1mb/sec. A 150 mb monthly data transfer is to be expected on an average 500 unit property. Any firewall or proxy present on some networks must include policies allowing a Gateway to communicate with the NextCentury servers.
Contact our support team for more details.
Wi-Fi hotspot devices can be useful for providing temporary internet connections but are unreliable long-term connectivity solutions. Many consumer-grade cellular hotspot devices are not designed for persistent device connection. When used with a Gateway, the hotspot device may drop the internet connection after a few days or even hours and require an on-site visit to restart.
The MAC address for a Gateway can be found in the following ways:
- The MAC address is displayed on a Gateways's barcode label located on the back of the unit.
- The MAC address is displayed on your mobile device when using the Direct Connect feature on the NCSS mobile app.
-
The MAC address is displayed on the Web Portal on the Equipment Network / Gateway tile page. Simply navigate to a Gateway tile on the Equipment/Network page and then after a Gateway tile has expanded, click on 'Action' on the bottom blue strip of the expanded Gateway tile and then click on 'View Network Information'.
Yes. To remotely reset a Gateway, navigate to the Equipment/Network page and select a Gateway tile. The tile will expand to show specific information about a Gateway. Next click on Action (bottom blue strip of the expanded Gateway tile) and then select Reset Gateway.
Cellular plan and billing
Billing Company Admin users can enable/disable Gateway cellular plans. Admin users can also choose to allow other roles to be able to adjust cellular plans.
Yes. This feature is called Direct Billing. When enabled, Direct Billing makes it so the property (instead of the billing company) will be responsible to pay for any enabled services.
To enable Direct Billing, navigate to the Billing tab for the property in the NextCentury Web Portal and toggle Direct Billing on.
Once it's enabled, you can view the billing summary, enter payment information, and set up billing contacts, who will receive email notifications regarding billing and subscriptions.
Note: some services fees are higher for properties that use Direct Billing.
Billing Company Admin users have the authority/ability to both enable/disable cellular for Gateways and also to give permission to users to enable/disable cellular plan based on User Role types. The Admin user can update cellular plan permission on the Users page for each user role type.
Automatic billing occurs on the 1st of each month. The first monthly fee will be billed on the first 1st of the month after the cellular plan is enabled for a property and will be billed on the 1st of each following month until the cellular plan is disabled (or property is transferred to a different Billing Company).
For more information about billing, see Subscriptions and Payments.
Yes, cellular can be enabled at any point. However, if payment information is not entered in the NextCentury Web Portal after 30 days then the cellular plan will be disabled for the property.